RAMBLING ME

One day is blurring into the next and they are disappearing before my eyes, I can’t quite believe I have been in Paris almost a month. This past week the city has felt stifling and overwhelming, it’s not what I’m accustomed to- open spaces and fields as far as the eye can see are usually where I find myself. But, in the countryside, can you hear a French guy playing an accordion while ad-libbing stories about kissing nuns? It’s highly unlikely (and yes, I did experience that, it was belly laugh inducing).

This past week has passed me by as I’ve floated from place to place. I wandered to the Petit Palais and was in awe of the architecture and sculptures that are housed there. Again I found myself at Shakespeare & Company, drinking coffee with a lovely new friend and scouring the place for decent second hand books though woe is me, left empty handed. 

Best of all, I visited 59 Rivoli (the art squat of Paris), an institution, celebration of creativity and art gallery come studio space set over six floors reached by a phsycadelic staircase. As soon as I started to ascend the stairs my heart was going like the clappers, the place is so inspriring and invigorating, I can’t quite believe I’ve not visited before. It made me reach for paper and pencils and really take the time out to sit and draw for the first time in a long time. Looking for new and inspiring places is fast becoming my Paris mission. 

It’s not all exploring, drawing and seeing though, I’m studying every day, working at my French like a trojan. It’s not easy, it really isn’t but for the first time I’m trying to relax in to it, trust myself and go with my gut (something my French teacher insisted I do at, I don’t know, the age of 16- sorry, I should have listened…)

I haven’t all that much to say this week, I’m quite tired and really I want this writing to be honest and I would rather not record this experience through rose tinted glasses. That would be the easy thing to do, whimsical writing about the good stuff and skimming over the hardship of moving to a city after a tough couple of years. Because I’ll be honest this is hard (sorry, did not expect to go in this direction), trying to be comfortable when everything feels so uncomfortable. But it is what it is, I have given myself this challenge and I shall accept it. Thankfully an evening on the Seine watching the sunset, the golden light bouncing off the water and alighting the streets, is one of the sweetest sights for the soul and I can do that every single evening if I wish, need or want.